Most importantly, having
youth courts in the schools allows an opportunity for Juvenile Court to use the principles of restorative justice.
The
youth courts will have a dedicated entrance and exit.
The Effective
Youth Court: Juvenile Justice Procedures in Europe
Unfortunately the public is not allowed into
youth courts but it would be an eye-opener for most people to see and hear the details of cases which arise week in, week out, and the backgrounds and problems of some of the youngsters.
The storyline is based on several cases that have recently been heard at Newcastle
Youth Court, involving a booze-fuelled knife attack.
One key difference between alternative
youth courts and the typical juvenile justice approach is the make-up of the court personnel.
Over one-half of the cases before
youth courts involved older teenagers, those aged 16 and 17.
"The four models normally used in
youth courts are adult judge, youth judge, youth tribunal and peer jury," explains Peggy Calliham, who oversees a local teen court in College Station, Texas, as the city's community programs coordinator.
Those who appear in
youth courts automatically get anonymity.
The Scottish Executive promised to consider
youth courts when it put forward a 10- point plan to tackle young offenders last summer.
There will be an increased uniformed presence at each of the three Crown Court centres and at the designated magistrates and
youth courts at Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Coventry.